Guatemala: Fuego Volcano - Jun 2018

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On 3 June, the Fuego volcano erupted for the second time in 2018, launching columns of ash and pyroclastic flow some 15,000m above sea level and spreading west and southwest, according to a special bulletin issued by the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH). Several areas reported the fall of ash and small rocks, including Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, Mixco and some areas in Guatemala City. The debris generated by the thunderous explosions travelled some 40km, carried by westward winds, affecting the north-western, northern, and western areas of the country. Several moderate pyroclastic flows descended towards the areas of Seca, Ceniza, Mineral, Taniluya, Las Lajas and Barranca Onda. Communities such as Sangre de Cristo, Finca Palo Verde, Panimaché I and II and others near the volcano were evacuated by the fire brigades, National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) first response teams, Guatemalan armed forces personnel and other organizations who are providing aid in affected areas. (OCHA, 4 Jun 2018)

On 6 June, [INSIVUMEH] reported that the accumulation of volcanic material resulted in lahar flows down the Seca and Mineral ravines, both of which are tributaries of the Pantaleón river...A red alert remains in place for the Escuintla, Sacatepéquez and Chimaltenango departments, as well as in the municipalities of Escuintla, Alotenango, Yepocapa and Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. The institutional alert level remains at orange...As of 7 June 2018, 1,713,566 people have been affected, 99 people have been killed, 58 people have been injured and 4,137 people are in shelters. CONRED has 21 registered shelters in the departments of Escuintla (17), Sacatepéquez (1), Santa Rosa (2) and Suchitepéquez (1). The number of people sheltered continues to rise. (OCHA, 7 Jun 2018)

On 20 November..[CONRED] reported that El Fuego Volcano generated 8-13 moderate explosions today, with ash columns at 4,600 meters above sea level dispersing towards the west, southwest, and northwest. Lava was registered in the community of Ceniza and ash falls were registered in the following communities of Chimaltenango Department: Panimache I and II, El Porvenir, Morelia, Santa Sofia, Sangre de Cristo, Finca Palo Verde, San Pedro Yepocapa, and other nearby towns. To date, a total of 4,123 people were evacuated and 2,330 people were housed in 5 shelters in Escuintla and Sacatepequez Departments. (PAHO, 20 Nov 2018)